A former Southport FC footballer has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Stockport County midfielder Russell Benjamin, 22, who has played for clubs including the Yellows and AFC Telford United, was arrested following a series of dawn raids by police in Cheshire, Merseyside and north Wales.

Benjamin, originally from Aigburth but whose address was given in court as Derby Place, Chester, was among 31 people arrested and charged.

He appeared at Chester Crown Court last Thursday. Benjamin didn’t enter a plea and was remanded in custody.

Promising midfielder Benjamin broke into the Southport first-team through the club’s youth set-up before joining Rochdale.

After two seasons at Spotland, he returned to Haig Avenue before joining Telford United last season.

He signed for Stockport County last month and had attended pre-season training before police informed club officials of his whereabouts.

Jon Keighren, club director, said: “Stockport County FC has been made aware of legal proceedings involving one of our players.”